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All the Angels Stood
This is the last week in Staci Schofield's life. Her birthday is on Monday, which is also the day she plans to die. Poetic, seeing as her mother disappeared on the night of her own birthday. But when a popular guy from school, Rush, befriends Staci, will her plans change? Rush sees demons clinging to Staci and nothing has worked so far to help her. What will make a difference in her life? A friend, an intercessor? How do you help someone move from 'take my life' to 'Lord, preserve me'? Enclosed devotionals by Karen Michelle Ricci.
- GenresChristian Fiction
126 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 3, 2013
All the Angels Stood by Laura J Marshall is a real and honest account of what teen suicide looks and feels like. This story will make you uncomfortable and fill you with unease, but you need to open your eyes and your heart to this crucial issue. While this will be a depressing subject for most, it is one that is very close to my heart. While I make no claims to wisdom, I can offer my experience. I can open my heart and let you see what pain and misery I dealt with, and how God swept me into His arms and loved me through it all.
While I have never went as far as planning such an event for myself, I found myself more times than I would care to admit wallowing in the same cess pool as Staci. My triggers came from being shown and told that I was different from my friends. I was strange and had no place. I wasn’t welcome, and their icy stares and behavior shook me to my core. The reason for my level of disbelief and shock was from the fact that we all attended the same Christian school and the same Christian church. People I thought I knew would smile next to me when my parents or other adults were around, and then they would stab me in the back when no one was looking. My heart was being ripped out, and no one cared. Adults thought I was heartless by the way I accused my “friends” of not being who they claimed to be. They thought I was the mean girl when I was the one who was being mistreated and stripped of my faith in man.
I withdraw into myself so deeply that I didn’t ever want to come back out. It was just me and God against the world. I had Him, and He was my only refuge. He was the only one that I called friend. I cried out to Him more times than I can remember, and He gave me a peace that helped me get through each day. I walked with Him, and I didn’t need anyone else. When my fake friends would make nice one day and leave the next, I was OK. I leaned on God, and He wiped my tears away. He picked me up, brushed me off, and pulled me along to face another day with Him. He loved me, and He never left me. He was my heart and my reason for living. He still is and always will be.
Looking back, I don’t know how I made it through with just Him and me, but it was supposed to be that way. Without those times, I don’t know if I would hold Him as close to me as I do now. I doubt I would be able to fully surrender myself and those I love to Him each day. My heart would not as soft as it is right now to His prodding. I would not be who I am today if not for those dark days. My path had to follow that twisted course for a short time in order for the light of Him to shine a little brighter to my eyes, for His love to warm me a little more, and for His peace to settle my troubled spirit and reassure my soul a little more. Please be assured that I am not trying to make myself out as a wonderful person for that is not the case. I am just glad that those times have helped me to feel my Savior more sharply, to become more sensitive to His still small voice, and to be as docile in His hands as I hope I am.
Laura J Marshall never ceases to amaze me at her tender and perceptive heart. She is open to her Master’s voice and through her courage and her obedience, God is using her mightily. This story while it is a novella is more effective and poignant then if it was the length of a typical novel. Excessive words won’t get in the way of this beautiful message, and God is free to move in His gentle and powerful way. Marshall’s messages are deeply touching and very relevant as they came straight from the heart of God. This message is for everyone no matter who you are and no matter how old you are. We all need to hear this, and we all need to be pliable and open to God’s direction and prodding. While God can do all things, He usually chooses to do it through us. If He can’t use us, then what good are we?
While I have never went as far as planning such an event for myself, I found myself more times than I would care to admit wallowing in the same cess pool as Staci. My triggers came from being shown and told that I was different from my friends. I was strange and had no place. I wasn’t welcome, and their icy stares and behavior shook me to my core. The reason for my level of disbelief and shock was from the fact that we all attended the same Christian school and the same Christian church. People I thought I knew would smile next to me when my parents or other adults were around, and then they would stab me in the back when no one was looking. My heart was being ripped out, and no one cared. Adults thought I was heartless by the way I accused my “friends” of not being who they claimed to be. They thought I was the mean girl when I was the one who was being mistreated and stripped of my faith in man.
I withdraw into myself so deeply that I didn’t ever want to come back out. It was just me and God against the world. I had Him, and He was my only refuge. He was the only one that I called friend. I cried out to Him more times than I can remember, and He gave me a peace that helped me get through each day. I walked with Him, and I didn’t need anyone else. When my fake friends would make nice one day and leave the next, I was OK. I leaned on God, and He wiped my tears away. He picked me up, brushed me off, and pulled me along to face another day with Him. He loved me, and He never left me. He was my heart and my reason for living. He still is and always will be.
Looking back, I don’t know how I made it through with just Him and me, but it was supposed to be that way. Without those times, I don’t know if I would hold Him as close to me as I do now. I doubt I would be able to fully surrender myself and those I love to Him each day. My heart would not as soft as it is right now to His prodding. I would not be who I am today if not for those dark days. My path had to follow that twisted course for a short time in order for the light of Him to shine a little brighter to my eyes, for His love to warm me a little more, and for His peace to settle my troubled spirit and reassure my soul a little more. Please be assured that I am not trying to make myself out as a wonderful person for that is not the case. I am just glad that those times have helped me to feel my Savior more sharply, to become more sensitive to His still small voice, and to be as docile in His hands as I hope I am.
Laura J Marshall never ceases to amaze me at her tender and perceptive heart. She is open to her Master’s voice and through her courage and her obedience, God is using her mightily. This story while it is a novella is more effective and poignant then if it was the length of a typical novel. Excessive words won’t get in the way of this beautiful message, and God is free to move in His gentle and powerful way. Marshall’s messages are deeply touching and very relevant as they came straight from the heart of God. This message is for everyone no matter who you are and no matter how old you are. We all need to hear this, and we all need to be pliable and open to God’s direction and prodding. While God can do all things, He usually chooses to do it through us. If He can’t use us, then what good are we?
September 5, 2013
I received a free copy of this book, in exchange for my review. I hadn't planned on reading it right away, but after the first couple of pages, didn't want to stop reading it. It was very well written, and I felt it also reflected what could go thru the minds of our young adults that don't have a relationship with Jesus (or even adults for that matter). There is so much darkness in the world, and without God's help, it's hard to find any hope or joy. More people (including me) need to be able to reach out to the hurting and hopeless to bring the message that there is eternal life after our troubles on earth are over. I will definately recommend this book to both of my daughters, and any others that could benefit from it.
September 13, 2013
This is powerful prose as only author, Laura J. Marshall, can phrase it. Spanning a week in time, each chapter details one day in the life of a girl struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide. Scripture is used to set off each passage so that the reader sees the spiritual battle being warred for the girl's soul. Yet in the midst of such a heavy storyline, there is hope and humor and a very likeable character in the boy, Rush, as well as a little romance. This story carries a strong message that I believe teens need to hear.
September 28, 2015
Wonderful book with a powerful message
This YA Fiction novella by Laura J. Marshall was a great book capturing the tumultuous emotions of a young woman, Staci, who feels like she has nothing left to lose, and nothing left to live for. Until she meets Rush, a young man determined to battle the demons that cling to Staci. He battles them with prayer, obedience to the prompting of the Spirit, and through love.
I loved this book. The story is short, so you wouldn’t expect to get so invested in this story. But you do. You easily and quickly get caught up in the characters. The story line has you in the first few words, and the message stays with you long after you are done.
This YA Fiction novella by Laura J. Marshall was a great book capturing the tumultuous emotions of a young woman, Staci, who feels like she has nothing left to lose, and nothing left to live for. Until she meets Rush, a young man determined to battle the demons that cling to Staci. He battles them with prayer, obedience to the prompting of the Spirit, and through love.
I loved this book. The story is short, so you wouldn’t expect to get so invested in this story. But you do. You easily and quickly get caught up in the characters. The story line has you in the first few words, and the message stays with you long after you are done.
February 16, 2014
How many teen out there knows they have demons attach themselves? Although fiction, this book can show the reality of what happens when a teenager faces hopelessness, depression and so forth. I thought this book was very entertaining and I love seeing how a popular boy can take an interest in someone like Staci.
January 2, 2014
Needed a bit of editing. I wanted to like this, because it dealt with depression, but it was too easily fixed - not believable even in fiction.
September 14, 2015
Inspiring, spiritual warfare
I've heard of a few people with this gift, but this gave me a better picture. A big responsibility. He was faithful. The angels rejoice!
I've heard of a few people with this gift, but this gave me a better picture. A big responsibility. He was faithful. The angels rejoice!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews